Reed Anthony, Cowman eBook

CHAPTER XVII

FORESHADOWS

I returned to Texas early in September. My foreman
on the Double Mountain ranch had written me several
times during the summer, promising me a surprise on
the half-blood calves. There was nothing of importance
in the North except the shipping of a few trainloads
of beeves from our ranch in the Outlet, and as the
bookkeeper could attend to that, I decided to go back.
I offered other excuses for going, but home-hunger
and the improved herd were the main reasons. It
was a fortunate thing that I went home, for it enabled
me to get into touch with the popular feeling in my
adopted State over the outlook for live stock in the
future. Up to this time there had been no general
movement in cattle, in sympathy with other branches
of industry, notably in sheep and wool, supply always
far exceeding demand. There had been a gradual
appreciation in marketable steers, first noticeable
in 1876, and gaining thereafter about one dollar a
year per head on all grades, yet so slowly as not to
disturb or excite the trade. During the fall
of 1879, however, there was a feeling of unrest in
cattle circles in Texas, and predictions of a notable
advance could be heard on every side. The trail
had been established as far north as Montana, capital
by the millions was seeking investment in ranching,
and everything augured for a brighter future.
That very summer the trail had absorbed six hundred
and fifty thousand cattle, or possibly ten per cent
of the home supply, which readily found a market at
army posts, Indian agencies, and two little cow towns
in the North. Investment in Texas steers was paying
fifty to one hundred per cent annually, the whole
Northwest was turning into one immense pasture, and
the feeling was general that the time had come for
the Lone Star State to expect a fair share in the profits
of this immense industry.

Cattle associations, organized for mutual protection
and the promotion of community interests, were active
agencies in enlarging the Texas market. National
conventions were held annually, at which every live-stock
organization in the West was represented, and buyer
and seller met on common ground. Two years before
the Cattle Raisers’ Association of Texas was
formed, other States and Territories founded similar
organizations, and when these met in national assembly
the cattle on a thousand hills were represented.
No one was more anxious than myself that a proper
appreciation should follow the enlargement of our
home market, yet I had hopes that it would come gradually
and not excite or disturb settled conditions.
In our contracts with the government, we were under
the necessity of anticipating the market ten months
in advance, and any sudden or unseen change in prices
in the interim between submitting our estimates and
buying in the cattle to fill the same would be ruinous.
Therefore it was important to keep a finger on the
pulse of the home market, to note the drift of straws,
and to listen for every rumor afloat. Lands in
Texas were advancing in value, a general wave of prosperity
had followed self-government and the building of railroads,
and cattle alone was the only commodity that had not
proportionally risen in value.